As MPs prepare to vote... Warnings Iraq action could last for YEARS

BRITISH jets could fly bombing missions over Iraq within hours of today’s vote on UK involvement in American-led air strikes.

Britain could soon be involved in another war in Iraq as MPs prepare to vote on military strikes [GETTY/EPA]

But the campaign against Islamic State fanatics, which is expected to receive an overwhelming endorsement from MPs recalled to Parliament, could last for years.

The motion tabled yesterday after David Cameron flew back from New York does not rule out striking at IS in Syria too. But it promises the Government will first seek Parliament’s backing.

Mr Cameron doubts Labour would back strikes in Syria as, unlike Iraq, it does not have a recognised government seeking help.

But some MPs want him to reconsider as IS came about from the civil war in Syria and must be confronted there.

Tory MP Bob Stewart, a former British commander, quoted a US civil rights activist to insist: “You have got to go to the eye of the octopus and the eye of the octopus isn’t necessarily in Iraq, it is in Syria.”

Downing Street said the vote’s focus is on the UK joining air strikes to help Iraqi and Kurdish forces.

US (defence secretary) John Kerry has estimated two to three years, that looks like a long haul to me

Defence Secretary Michael Fallon

The motion promises the Government “will not deploy UK troops in ground combat operations” but sources indicate they could help train Iraqi forces.

Defence Secretary Michael Fallon was asked if UK forces would be in the campaign against IS “for the long haul”.

He said: “US (defence secretary) John Kerry has estimated two to three years, that looks like a long haul to me.”

The daughter of British aid worker David Haines, who was murdered by IS in Syria earlier this month, backed military action.

Bethany Haines, 17, said: “IS need to be eradicated.”

The vote comes as Iraq warns of an IS plot to attack the metro systems in the US and Paris.

Prime Minister Haider Al Abadi said Baghdad had “credible” intelligence that IS militants were “planning from inside Iraq”. He added “accurate reports” followed the arrest of hardliners in the Iraqi capital.